This multidisciplinary project focused on developing wearable cooling technology for use in the extreme climate conditions of Saudi Arabia. During this project, we combined knowledge from mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electronics, programming, and fashion design to create innovative garments capable of actively cooling the wearer.
Project description
The project focuses on the challenge of creating clothing suitable for temperatures that can rise around 50°C. Traditional clothing in hot climates mainly provides protection from sunlight but does not actively reduce body temperature. Therefore, this project explored new possibilities for integrating active cooling systems into wearable garments. The designs had to meet requirements related to cooling performance, comfort, safety, mobility, usability, and cultural suitability for Saudi Arabia.
A structured engineering design process was followed throughout the project. Different cooling principles were researched, tested, and compared in order to determine which methods were most effective and realistic for wearable applications. Several experiments were performed to investigate airflow, heat transfer, cooling materials, energy consumption, and system integration. Based on these results, concepts were continuously improved through an iterative design process.
Project result
The final outcome of this project is not one complete garment, but three separate technical solutions in the form of prototypes that are intended to be integrated into clothing designs. Each prototype explores a different approach to active cooling and demonstrates how technology and fashion can work together to improve comfort in extreme environments.
One of our prototypes, called the Ventus Gown, uses airflow and heat transfer to create a cooling effect. Air is forced through an aluminium heatsink that is cooled using ice and then directed through the garment toward the wearer. Extensive testing was performed to improve cooling efficiency by optimizing airflow, increasing contact area, and selecting suitable materials. Experiments showed that the final setup achieved an average temperature reduction of approximately 9°C under controlled conditions. The system includes sensors, an Arduino-based controller and a custom PCB. The cooling components are designed to fit inside decorative shoulder pieces, demonstrating how technical systems can become part of the fashion.
Throughout the project, several challenges became clear. Integrating cooling technology into wearable garments requires balancing performance with comfort, weight, energy consumption, safety, and appearance. Technical limitations, including cooling duration, component size, battery capacity, and garment integration, influenced many design decisions. In addition, because of time limitations, not all concepts could be fully completed or tested under real desert conditions.
Despite these limitations, the project demonstrates that active cooling technology can successfully be combined with wearable design. The developed prototypes provide valuable insight into the possibilities and challenges of integrating technical cooling systems into clothing. Future work should focus on improving efficiency, extending cooling duration, reducing system weight, and completing the final integration of the prototypes into wearable garments.
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Acknowledgement
The student project team (Miklos, Talal, Ismael, Thomas, Lu-Lu and Magdalena) would like to thank Anouk Wipprecht for her guidance, inspiration, and valuable feedback throughout the project. We would also like to thank Alison, our tutor from Fontys Technology, for her support and supervision during the development process. In addition, we would like to thank Mabel from Summa College for her assistance and contribution to the fashion and design aspects of the project.